Capital calling
 

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s New Delhi visits are becoming increasingly frequent. The frequency, according to some sources, seems to have risen in direct proportion to his closeness with the Narendra Modi-led NDA. Though Naveen on his part continues to swear by the policy of equidistance from both the BJP and Congress.

Knowledgeable sources said in the last one year the chief minister went to New Delhi 54 times. This was also the period when the state government was rocked by scandals such as the money deposit collection scam with ruling party leaders being booked by the CBI. By coincidence, this was also the period when the Modi government required the help of new allies outside the NDA’s ambit to make up for its lack of numbers at the Rajya Sabha. “That explains the frequency of his Delhi trips,” said a Congress leader. 

Unpredictable

Prasanna Kumar Patasani, the extremely colourful BJD MP from Bhubaneswar can be very unpredictable at times. His unpredictability sometimes becomes a cause of embarrassment for his own party leaders. During a recent function organised in the state capital, a minister of the state government found himself without a seat on the dais. The saffron-robed Patasani who is also known as ‘Baba’ among his followers, had occupied one before him. The minister was obviously embarrassed and left the place earlier than expected. Though the organisers sought to play down the incident, it was clear that the minister, who is much younger than Patasani, have to leave because that was the only option left for him. 

Finger at govt

If sources are to be believed, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, who leads the BJD in the Lok Sabha, was the most vocal in expressing the collective angst of the ruling party MPs over the alleged non-co-operation of state government officials during their interaction with the chief minister Naveen Patnaik in New Delhi recently. Mahtab is said to have made it clear to the chief minister that an MP’s job of raising Odisha-related issues in the Parliament would become extremely difficult if officials did not provide them the latest information. With Mahtab drawing support from most of his colleagues, Naveen took immediate note of the grievance with a promise to take corrective measures. 

Change in view

Till recently, Jual Oram and Dharmenra Pradhan, the two Odia ministers from the state in the Modi cabinet, used to be extremely vocal in criticising the state government’s preparations for the upcoming Nabakalebar festival in Puri. However, both have suddenly clammed up on the issue. At least, they are no more making critical remarks against the Naveen government vis-à-vis preparations for the Nabakalebar. Sources said this was because of two specific reasons-first, the issue is extremely sensitive with one bad comment likely to trigger a political storm, and secondly there is every possibility of Naveen turning the tables on them by blaming the Centre for not extending help to the state for the big event.

Blame game

Sanjeev Marik, the director-general of police is known to weigh his words before he opens his mouth. He is particularly careful about not offending the political class, which explains why he has managed to maintain cordial relations with well-known politicians of almost all the major parties. Surely it came as a big surprise when Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched a broadside at him the other day, for his alleged criticism of the Centre. Marik allegedly criticised New Delhi for failing to provide assistance to the state for police modernisation. 
Knowledgeable sources said that Pradhan’s criticism of Marik was actually a proxy attack on chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who handpicked him for the top police job in the state.

FOOTNOTE

Lost cause

The result of the Ranpur Notified Area Committee election has been a big setback for former minister and senior BJP leader Surama Padhi. Padhi had led the party’s campaign in the area from the front. This being Padhi’s home turf, the BJP had expected to put up a reasonably good show. However, the end result left the party embarrassed. BJP candidates failed to win even one of the 15 wards that fall in the NAC. While the ruling BJD captured 13 wards, Congress bagged one and another went to an Independent candidate. Ever since, the BJP led by Padhi has been accusing the ruling party of misusing official machinery to win the polls. But none seems to be impressed.